Planning an outdoor wedding incorporates the beauty of nature into your special day. If you’ve already decided on an outdoor setting, you may be considering a tent as a backup plan for shelter or perhaps as your event’s main attraction. High-quality party tents from reputable event tent rentals provide solid coverage and keep you and your guests comfortable throughout the event.
Getting the right tent isn’t enough. You also need to get the tent configuration right for a smooth experience. To help you out, here are tent layout tips that will help you maximize your space and make your event a resounding success:
Choose the right tent size for your event.
Whether you’re planning a wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, or a combination, you should get a tent that suits the occasion. Finalizing your guest list will help you choose a tent with enough space for a seamless and memorable event.
Make use of supplemental space.
If your event and reception are in the same area, use a tent to provide a smooth transition during cocktail hour. This lounge area setup offers guests a beautiful outdoor escape away from the rush and bustle of the main event changes and an ideal location for chatting and playing lawn games.
It’s also a great way to keep the festive spirit alive while the main venue is prepped for your celebration’s next stage.
Ensure you have enough altar space.
Adequate space at the altar is essential for an unimpeded view of the vows. Position the first row of chairs at least 6 feet away from the altar to avoid a tight appearance. This space gives you, the officiant, and the wedding party plenty of freedom to walk about, creating a pleasant and expansive setting for your important day.
Ensure you have a clear aisle.
Ensure enough room for a clear aisle when starting your wedding day with an outdoor ceremony. For a smooth entry, ensure a minimum width of 5 feet. If you add decorations to the aisle, such as flowers or candles, consider a broader path to facilitate easy travel and avoid mistakes.
Correctly arrange your tables.
Choose the right seating arrangement to improve your guests’ dining experience. Long rectangular tables often provide more guest seating space, making them suitable for bigger parties, while circular tables provide a more intimate and refined setting.
If you are unsure how to organize your tables, ask an experienced professional for help.
Be strategic with the dance floor.
Celebrate your special occasion by dancing the night away. To ensure that everyone has enough room to dance, calculate the dance floor size based on around half of your guests participating at any given moment, allowing for approximately 4.5 square feet per person. This planning ensures that your dance floor is both open and inviting.
Maximize the reception space.
Maximize your reception area while maintaining your guest list. Consider using your space under the tent for multiple purposes, such as arranging eating tables and chairs over the dance floor.
This arrangement allows for a larger dining area. After the meal, you can push the tables aside to display the dance floor, easily moving from the dining space to dancing.
Plan for large spaces.
When designing your reception arrangement, remember to leave enough room for ornamental and practical items. Ensure you have enough space for the bar, buffet tables, gift sections, and DJ booth.
Remember that proper planning ensures that all of these aspects fit nicely inside your area, adding to your event’s overall success and flow.
Tips to ensure you have an excellent tent wedding
Planning your big day needs meticulous attention to detail, whether planning a backyard wedding or coordinating an event at a venue. Once you’ve decided on the perfect layout, don’t forget the finishing touches that will elevate your wedding from ordinary to extraordinary.
- You should also add beautiful tent sidewalls—they come in white, clear, or with windows—to not only complete the look but also protect your guests from the weather.
- Make the setup process as easy as possible so you can focus on the finer details of your event.
- Use helpful equipment such as drop cloths to keep your tent clean and pinhole-free throughout installation.
- Consider using a frame jack to make lifting your tent easier.
- Do you want to create a genuinely unique wedding experience? Go with customizable alternatives such as different sizes, fabric colors, and bespoke printing to help you fulfill your idea.
- Consider decorating the tent. For the perfect look, it’s wise that you decorate your tent. And the good news is that there are plenty of ways to do it. These ways include:
Use the right light: Proper illumination can make all the difference. Chandeliers can offer a touch of glamor, whereas string lights give a glittering, starry night image. Lanterns provide a soft, soothing glow that makes the evening warm and inviting. Consider the tone you want to create and choose your lighting accordingly.
Play around with drapes and fabrics: In addition to serving as curtains, drapes, and fabrics can modify the interior of a tent. Use light, flowing materials to give your space elegance and a pop of color. Hang drapes from the ceiling or walls to create a gentle, romantic atmosphere.
Consider the floor: Flooring is essential for comfort and can help improve the appearance of your space. A dance floor is crucial to every wedding, allowing guests to dance the night away. Carpets or bespoke flooring can help everyone feel more connected and comfortable, especially in a natural outdoor setting.
Parting shot
These are some tent layout tips you can put into place for you to have an event you can be proud of. As mentioned, besides hiring a high-quality tent from the wedding tent rentals Rockland, you must ensure everything is in order. If this is your first time doing it, work with experienced professionals who will show you the ropes.